In Antigone, Creon's mistakes were to forbid the burial of Polynices, an act which is hateful to the gods, and to then order Antigone's death by entombment. Teiresias warns Creon to change course, stating that the gods will punish him if he does not, and that Creon will suffer greatly as a result.

At the end of "Antigone," Creon blames himself for the tragic events, acknowledging his hubris and stubbornness as the causes. He recognizes his moral blindness and accepts responsibility for the deaths of his son, wife, and niece. Creon's refusal to obey divine laws and his insistence on his own authority lead to his downfall. Through his suffering, Creon gains self-awareness, realizing his pride led to his family's destruction.

Creon demonstrates his loyalty to Thebes by prioritizing the city's interests over familial ties. In his first speech, he emphasizes the importance of state integrity and dismisses nepotism, stating that a ruler must not place friends or family above the state. By refusing to bury Polynices, whom he deems a traitor, and treating Antigone, his son's fiancée, without favoritism, Creon believes he is acting patriotically to maintain law and order.

Creon upholds principles of strict nationalism and authoritarian rule, prioritizing loyalty to the state above personal relationships. He believes in absolute obedience and punishes rebellion harshly, as seen in his refusal to bury Polyneices, whom he views as a traitor. Creon also believes he is acting with divine support, aligning his actions with what he perceives as the gods' will. His inflexibility and self-centeredness ultimately lead to his downfall, demonstrating the dangers of despotic power.

At the end of Sophocles' Antigone, Creon is devastated by the tragic deaths of Antigone, his son Haemon, and his wife Eurydice, all of whom commit suicide. Creon acknowledges his responsibility for these deaths and is overwhelmed by grief, transforming from a confident ruler to a sorrowful man who prays for death, contemplating suicide.

Creon's motivation in "Antigone" is primarily to uphold the integrity of the state and enforce the rule of law, reflecting his belief that his authority as king embodies the state itself. His decrees aim to demonstrate absolute power, even at the cost of clashing with religious customs. Despite being advised otherwise, his pride and inflexibility lead to tragic consequences. Creon is ultimately driven by patriotism and a desire to restore Thebes to stability through strong leadership.

Creon views women as inherently inferior, reflecting the norms of ancient Greece, where women's roles were confined to the home. Antigone's defiance of his orders not only challenges his authority as king but also threatens his masculinity and societal gender roles. Creon's reaction, including ordering Antigone's execution, is an assertion of male dominance and sovereignty. Antigone's actions contrast with traditional gender expectations, which Creon perceives as a societal threat.

The play ultimately disagrees with Creon's claim that a king's rule must be obeyed to avoid chaos. While Creon believes his authority is essential to maintaining order in Thebes, Antigone's defiance highlights the supremacy of divine law over human law. The tragedy that befalls Creon and his family underscores the play's moral: that the gods' laws must be respected above all. Creon's rigid enforcement of his edict leads to personal and communal disaster, illustrating his flawed judgment.

Creon is justified in denying Polyneices' burial due to his duty to the kingdom, viewing Polyneices as a traitor who attacked Thebes. As king, Creon prioritizes state law over family ties. When Antigone defies this decree, Creon shows some leniency due to familial connections, questioning her motivations. However, her persistent defiance forces Creon to uphold his authority and the law, justifying his actions to maintain respect and control as king.

Creon treats women as inferior, demonstrated by his anger when Antigone defies him, reflecting traditional Greek societal views. His hubris and refusal to listen to Antigone's reasoning highlight his authoritarian stance. If Antigone were a man, Creon might have been less intensely angry and possibly more willing to listen, but he would still likely refuse to yield. Antigone's gender complicates Creon's authority as it challenges his image and earns her sympathy from others.

Both Creon and Antigone are stubborn in their ways, which leads to the downfall of many characters. Antigone tries to follow the gods' wishes, but Creon feels that as ruler he has authority over the gods and his own fears will be what rules him. They both are punished for their decisions and end up losing everything important in their lives.

Both Antigone and Creon are tragic figures, but neither role is more prominent than the other in terms of who the main character of the play is.